Keep public notices in newspapers

Posted:
01/28/2013 09:46:53 PM MST

A bill introduced in the Colorado Legislature would make it more difficult for state residents to have the convenient access to legal notices they have had since the time of statehood. This bill, House of Representatives number 13-1064, should be defeated because it would substantially alter a system that has served the public well.

Governments are required to publish key aspects of their financial information and other operations in community newspapers serving local areas across Colorado. The proposed bill would change that by allowing governments to post the information on their own websites under their control and direction. One of the many problems with this proposal is that there would be no third party verification that the information was properly published in a timely and accurate manner. Newspapers can assist the smooth operations of governments and their service to the public by regularly providing proof that the notices were published when and where the governments requested.

If the information from various governments was spread across several websites with differing addresses and times of posting, it would be much more difficult for the public including individual citizens, businesses and those who work in the court system to find the information when needed. By contrast, when published in community newspapers that are widely available to everyone, the information can be easily read, and researched. An archive of published legal advertisements is available to the public.

Many people do not have regular access to computers. This has led to the term "the digital divide." Why make the activities of government less available to the public by abandoning Colorado's community newspapers that have served so well for this important service? In addition to the convenient printed editions, the vast majority of Colorado newspapers have their own websites and many carry the notices on the websites at no additional charge or at the same reasonable rates charged for advertising in the printed editions. The price charged for legal advertising is governed by statute and governments may put their legal notices out to bid. Also, the websites of Colorado newspapers belonging to the Colorado Press Association generally carry the information electronically now and can be located by accessing the Colorado Press Association website.

By continuing with newspapers and the easily available printed words and numbers they provide, the public has the convenience of print and electronic access to the information at reasonable rates to the governments. The current method is a proven and reasonable investment in informing the public about government activity and developments. This is why legislators should defeat House Bill 13-1064.

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